Stars No Longer Playing At The Top

Football can be a funny old game. One minute you are on the biggest stage of all, the next you wonder where on earth you are.

Here are a few stars who have been through something similar – some through choice and others a genuine fall from grace:

Edgar Davids, 40 – Barnet

The former Netherlands international is perhaps the most high profile case in this discussion. He has enjoyed a glittering career – representing his country 74 times and turning out for top European sides such as Juventus, Barcelona and Ajax, where he won the Champions League.

Davids joined League Two Barnet as player-manager last October. The Bees dropped down to the Conference but Davids remained loyal and is leading their charge back to the Football League.

Pascal Chimbonda, 34 – Market Drayton

The full-back was part of the France squad at the 2006 World Cup and was on the bench for the final. He played for Wigan, Tottenham, Sunderland and Blackburn in the Premier League before dropping down to the Championship with Queens Park Rangers and Doncaster.

Chimbonda could not find a club for the 2012-13 season and was forced to accept he was no longer attractive to clubs at the top end of English football. He now plays for nothing in the Northern Premier League Division One South.

Emile Heskey, 35 – Newcastle Jets

The frontman was regularly criticised for not scoring enough goals and became a figure of ridicule. However, he was the perfect foil for fellow England striker Michael Owen and played for five Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Heskey is now winding down in the Australian sun. He has even rediscovered his goalscoring touch.

Alessandro Del Piero, 38 – Sydney FC

Del Piero is one of the greatest players in Juventus’s history and Italian football as a whole. He made 705 appearances, scored 289 goals and lifted 19 trophies during his time at the club, including the World Cup with Italy in 2006.

Del Piero joined Heskey in the A-League last summer. He starred in his first season and will captain Sydney this term.

Ricardo Quaresma, 29 – Al Ahli

Chelsea fans will remember the name. He joined the Blues from Inter Milan on loan in 2009, making just five appearances.

Quaresma was considered a hot prospect as a youngster and was signed by Barcelona, before moving on to Porto, Inter and Besiktas. The former Portugal international was released from his contract with the Turkish club and will no doubt be earning a good living in the United Arab Emirates. However, a promising career lies in tatters.

Have we missed any names out? Share your suggestions below.